A basement renovation is a great home improvement project to take on. It creates a more livable space and boosts your property value. However, before you get started, take steps to ensure a healthy living environment for you and your family. These steps can hep prevent harmful gases such as radon from entering your home.
What is Radon?
According to Health Canada and the CDC, radon is an invisible, odourless gas that is produced when uranium in soil and rock breaks down. It’s found naturally in the ground and is present in many homes. It’s a concern when levels of radon get too high.
One way radon can seep into the home is through cracks in the basement concrete. These cracks occur naturally when the concrete shrinks and expands as it cures. This also happens due to tree roots, poor drainage and freeze and thaw cycles in the soil.
Preventing Radon From Entering Your Home
To help mitigate radon emissions, the first thing to do when finishing your basement is seal any cracks in the concrete. A product like DRICORE® PRO Concrete Repair is a great all-in-one solution, as it can seal, fill and structurally reinforce concrete cracks. The three-step system includes a crack repair, crack injection, and carbon fiber reinforcement products. The crack repair product works to seal cracks and the crack injection product expands to fill the cracks and prevent water leaks or gas seeping through. Finally, the carbon fiber reinforcement kit reinforces the wall to ensure structural strength after a crack has started.
Once you’ve completed this essential step, then you’re ready to install the subfloor. It’s important to do this before you lay down your finished floors, as a subfloor system like DRICORE® will help protect your basement from mold and mildew. It will also insulate against the cold concrete with its elevated air gap design. The end result will be floors that feel warmer and more comfortable to walk on.
Now that you have a solid foundation for your new basement, you can install the flooring and walls. Then you can move on to the fun stuff: picking out finished floors and light fixtures with the peace of mind that comes from knowing you’re creating a beautiful space that’s also safer for your family.